The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-10-06
mark, Mr.. Ford added: "Of course

think.
."Ah. you are inclined to be philoso.
phical."
Then the conversation drifted and
finally Jagged. The lady gazed ab.
stractedly out OF the window, while
Mr.. Ford again looked over his news
paper. The eagerness of pursuit was
upon him, however, and he finally
folded his paper and introduced topic
after topic with a view to enhancing
the interest of his companion.
He had not yet reached the point
OF inquirlng her name or of offering
his own card when the train drew up
to the Vernon station. Then few
thong hts passed through his mind.
His wife was probably sleeping off her
headache. her hostess was absent
from town, and theforgotten telegram
had failed to give warning of his ar
rival. Why should he not take ad-
vantage of these circumstance and of
the fact that he was q stranger in
Vernon, and devote few hours to his
own amusement? His mind was
quickly make up.
When the train stopped he assisted
the lady to alisht, but retained her
small packages in his own hands.
my bundles, please" she said.
"Allow me to carry them,' he
pleaded.
''By no means!" she exclaimed, and
he surrendered them reluctantly.
"Many thanks. Good morning"
"Must it be good mornipg?" he ask.
ed, insinuating'y:
Certainly" she replied, with a
slightly annoyed look, and speaking
in such decided tone that he was
forced to submit.
Then she tripped away, his eyes fol.
lowing her regrettuIly. He himself al
so followed her at a respectful dis
tance, keeping her moving form con.
stantly in view.
Truly, NJ. Ford was infatuated.
Once free from the throng at the sta
ton, he stepped to the opposite side
OF the street, but never once lost sight
OF the waving plume which adorned
his late companions hat. Like bea-
con light he kept it in view, and he
was led first up a business street, then
through shaded avenue, and finally
past park and into side street
bordered on either side with elegant
dwelling. It did not occur to Mr..
Ford that he might be committing an
indlscreet act. He FASTENED nearer
the tossing white plume and it's owner,
and finally reached a gate Just as the
lady had traversed a short path and
was ascending the stoop OF a house.
RI l. I,
she turns her head.
Mr.. Ford lifted his hat, smiled be-.
nignantly, and made g. profound bow.
Yes, he had caugh her eye. Would
she smile?
Suddenly Mr.. Ford was frozen with
horror. A look of awful dismay came
over his face and he stood as il petii-
fled, gazing at a face which appeared
at the window.
There sat his wife, looking at him
with pleased, surprised and puzzled
expression OF countenance. He re-
manned for a. moment in a statuesque
attitude, much to the bewilderment
of the lady whom he had followed,
and who now stared at him IN sur
prise not unmixed with amusement.
Mr.. Ford thought with the rapidity
OF a drowning man. This must be the
house where his wife was visiting. Ref
uge in fight was impossible. and he
quickly made up his mind to take the
only course left. With a desperate
effort to assume self possessed air.
he waved his hand to his wife and
FASTENED to the porch where stood
the lady with her hand on the door
knob.
SIN heavens name.' he whispered,
''say nothing OF our meeting in the
railway car" Then he spoke aloud
and in the most suave tone he could
command. els this the residence OF
Mrs. Sutherland"
1T is" responded the lady, shrink.
inc back little, as if she suspected a
lunatic was addressing her.
II am Mr.. Ford. and l think my
wife is visitor under your charming
roof"
us it possible!" exclaimed the lady.
At this moment his wife appeared.
ooh, Emory, what a surprise! We
did not expect you until tomorrow"
mo, l hardly expected myself that
is, - Mr.. Ford was in a lamenta
bly, confused state.
'"This is Mrs. Sutherland, my old
school friend. This is my husband,
Fanny"
Mrs. Sutherland put out her hand
with due cordiality, and Mr.. Ford
grasped it mechanically. The three
entered the house. Mr.. Ford heartily
rejoiced that the parlor was partially
darkened. as he had no desire to have
his countenance scanned closely, cor a
time at least.
He explained his business engage.
ment and the forgotten telegram, but
said nothing OF the companionship o.
the railway Journey. He ended his
narration with q furtive look OF ap
peal to Mrs. Sutherland, to which that
lady responded by the slightest per.
ceptible elevation of her nose."
You looked so queer ON the side
walk, bowling in such q formal way
said his wife.
'Well," replied Mr.. Ford, who was
gathering his wits together. Il saw a
lady on the steps, and l was not quite
sure of the house, and had to intro
duce myself in some way"
His wife's only response was q med
itative look, as if some problem were
not clear in her mind. AS for Mrs
Sutherland, she suddenly hastened
from the room and when out OF hear.
ing burst into convulsions of laughter
What further explanations Mr.
Ford vOuchsafed to his wife do not
know. But Mrs. Sutherland, at the
first opportunity, gave him q little
womanly advice which was not en-
tirely free from plain speaking. The
future result Was noticeable, for the
flirting proclivities OF Mr.. Emory
Ford seemed to nave received a sud
den check, and his immediate friends
wondered what had happened tc
cause q withdrawal OF those eager at.
tentions to fair faces of strangers.
His wife, too, had reason to 1ejo,ce
but being sensible and true never al
luded to the episode on the railway
train and it's sequel, though suspect
that she had pretty clear idea Of
the whole affair."